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Taunton Deane Citizenship Award winners announced

THEIR contribution to Taunton Deane’s community could not be more different – but the 2014’s Citizenship Award winners share the same incredible commitment and dedication that make them our outstanding citizens.

This year’s winners are.

Sean O’Brien.

Sean’s award is being made posthumously as tragically he passed away a couple of weeks ago. Sean was nominated for an award for, amongst other reasons, his amazing work in setting up the “Go Commando” Charity in 2010.

In Sean’s words, he set out to “create a charity to be run by women for the women – the backbone of their Military men folk.”

Since then, Go Commando has raised over £200k and is a working partner of the Royal Marines Charitable Trust and now has worldwide support.

As well as being a successful and prominent businessman in Taunton, in his “spare” time Sean also made time to chair the Patients Improvement Charter at Musgrove Park Hospital, a campaign very close to his heart.

He also set up and personally funded the highly successful Somerset Careers Fair in October 2013, which attracted over 80 businesses and more than 5,000 local schoolchildren, offering them advice planning their futures.

Sean also found time to mentor Jane Hoffmeister from the road safety Think Amy Campaign. Dave Mullen.

Dave Mullen from Norton Fitzwarren, was chosen to receive a TDBC Citizenship Award for his role as the Producer and Director of the much acclaimed Taunton Gang Show now in its 25th year.

The Gang Show has not only encouraged many hundreds of young people throughout Taunton Deane, but entertained their parents, grandparents, extended families and friends.

Dave and the Gang Show have raised thousands of pounds for both local and national charities.

His commitment has provided care and support to so many young people in the community and has given them pride in what they have achieved - his enthusiasm is boundless.

Dave even took the Show to London, Germany, Holland and Cyprus giving young people the opportunity to travel to different places that maybe they wouldn’t normally visit.

Link Power.

A citizenship award has also gone to the voluntary group, Link Power.

The team was chosen as it seeks to address some of the key issues affecting the Halcon area of Taunton.

The group of enthusiastic local volunteers are now making a real and significant change throughout the area.

The dedicated volunteers meet daily, Monday – Friday and teams are deployed across Halcon ward, checking for fly tipping, abandoned shopping trolleys, graffiti and generally doing their bit to make sure the local area is well maintained, helping create a safe and pleasant environment for local people.

They also support families who need help with house moves and gardening tasks as well as other practical chores. The volunteers lead by example and are contributing to a real change in culture across the area. The team use innovative ways to keep in touch with the community including having a Facebook page and Twitter account: @linkpowerteam Taunton Deane Mayor Cllr Libby Lisgo said: “The awards’ selection panel had an extremely difficult task this year as we received 15 extremely worthy nominations, all of whom do outstanding voluntary work in our community. However, there can only be three winners and they really deserve this recognition.

“Our community benefits enormously from the work of volunteers – they are our real heroes, devoting so much time and energy into making Taunton Deane a special place to live.”